Man and woman arrested after 34 bodies removed by police from funeral directors

A man and woman have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a funeral director, after reports of “concern for care of the deceased”. A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, Humberside Police said.

It comes after 34 bodies were removed by police from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors on Hessle Road and taken to the mortuary in Hull. Police cordoned off three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after the force received a report on Wednesday of concerns about the “storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased”.

Residents reported police outside Legacy Funeral Directors in Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, both in Hull, at about 3am on Thursday, Hull Live reported. Officers remain at both branches, as well as one in Beverley.

READ MORE: "When will it stop?" Cemetery horror with armed police called after woman viciously mauled by dog

A direct line has been set up for anyone who may be affected. Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: "We can confirm that a man, aged 46 and a woman aged 23 have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position and remain in police custody at this time.

"As part of our investigation, as of today (Sunday March 10), we can confirm 34 deceased people have now been respectfully transported from Legacy Funeral Directors based on Hessle Road to the mortuary in Hull for formal identification procedures to take place. Since the report on Wednesday March 6, cordons remain in place at all three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises.